PULLMAN, Wash. -
Washington State University Head Football Coach Paul Wulff announced Friday that Steve Morton has joined the Cougar staff as offensive line coach.

"Steve brings a tremendous amount of experience and a proven track record as a collegiate coach," said Wulff. "He is a great teacher, tactician, and recruiter and will be a tremendous asset not only on the offensive line, but for our entire program."

The 2010 season will mark Morton's 36th as a collegiate coach and second stint as a member of the Cougar staff. Morton began his coaching career in 1975 as a Washington State University graduate assistant. He became a full-time assistant coach at his alma mater in 1977 and spent the next 10 seasons in Pullman. He mentored such Cougars as Mike Utley, Dan Lynch, Jim Michalczik, Pat Beach, Chris Dyko and Wulff.

In 1987 Morton followed then-WSU Head Coach Jim Walden to Iowa State University, where he spent the next five seasons. He returned to the Pac-10 in 1992, joining the University of Washington staff as offensive line coach. After seven seasons and five bowl appearances, he moved to the University of Southern California (1999-2000). He was at the University of Nevada (2001) before completing three seasons (2002-2004) as the Stanford University offensive line coach.

Morton has coached five Pac-10 Morris Trophy winners, signifying the conference's best lineman, including Lynch in 1984. Additionally he has mentored four first-team All-America players, and NFL first-round draft choices Kwame Harris of Stanford and Lincoln Kennedy of Washington.

Morton has spent the past five season at San Jose State, the first as offensive line coach and the last four adding offensive coordinator to his duties.

As a player, he was a center and offensive guard on the 1973 and 1974 Washington State teams. He graduated in 1977 with a degree in physical education.